Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Central Arizona College

Central Arizona College's general studies associate's program sits in an awkward middle ground. While it beats the national median by about $2,600, it trails Arizona's state median by more than $1,000—landing at just the 40th percentile among Arizona community colleges. This matters because Arizona students have considerably better in-state options: Mesa Community College graduates earn 55% more ($46,084), and even mid-tier programs like Mohave and Scottsdale post notably higher outcomes.

The debt picture is reasonable but not exceptional. At $11,245, it's slightly above both state and national averages, though the 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. For a two-year degree, that's manageable territory, and the program serves a meaningful population (29% Pell recipients) seeking an affordable pathway to further education or workforce entry.

The real question for Arizona families is opportunity cost. If your student can access one of the stronger Arizona programs—particularly those in the Phoenix metro area—the earnings premium could exceed $5,000 to $15,000 annually. But if Central Arizona College offers geographic convenience or a smoother transfer agreement to their target four-year school, the modest earnings and debt make it a functional stepping stone rather than a liability.